Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Identify These Classic Military Movies?

Khadija Leon

Beacon Pictures via youtube

What is the name of this 1992 war film starring Ethan Hawke and Kevin Dillon?

Che: Part Two

A Midnight Clear

Path of Glory

Black Hawk Down

"A Midnight Clear" is one of many American war drama films which was set near the end of the Second World War. It tells the story of an American intelligence unit who stumble upon a German platoon who wish to surrender. The 1992 film stars actors Ethan Hawke, Peter Berg and Kevin Dillon.

Syncopy,Warner Bros.,Dombey Street Productionss via youtube

Which of these movies was based on the real events of the evacuation of a beach during World War II?

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

American Sniper

Dunkirk

The Tin Drum

"Dunkirk" is a 2017 war film which was written, directed and produced by the award-winning director Christopher Nolan about the real-life events of the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II. It stars Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles and Fionn Whitehead among many others.

Morgan Creek Entertainment Groups via youtube

Which of these movies tells the story of the French and Indian War?

The Last of the Mohicans

A Very Long Engagement

Eye in the Sky

Kelly's Heroes

The Last of the Mohicans is a 1992 American historical war film which was based on the novel with the same name and the 1936 adapted film. Starring actors Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe and Jodhi May, it tells the story of the 1954 French and Indian War.

What is the name of this military film which was directed by Clint Eastwood?

Schindler's List

Braveheart

War Horse

American Sniper

"American Sniper" is a 2014 biographical war film which was based on Chris Kyle’s memoir, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History. Directed by Clint Eastwood, it follows the life of the man known as the deadliest marksman in the military.

Mel Gibson both directed and starred in which of the following war classics?

The Thin Red Line

Braveheart

Coming Home

Shoah

"Braveheart" is a 1995 American war film which Mel Gibson both directed and starred in. It followed his character, William Wallace – the man who led the Scots in what was called the First War of Scottish Independence against England, which was ruled by King Edward I.

Which of these war films starring Heath Ledger and Mel Gibson is shown here?

The Patriot

Lone Survivor

Land of Mine

Life is Beautiful

"The Patriot" is 2000 American war film which stars Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, and Mel Gibson about an American Colonist who is forced to join the American revolutionary war after his family is threatened.

Cross Creek Pictures,Demarest Films,Pandemoniums via youtube

Which of these films was based on the 2004 documentary about the life of Desmond Doss, the combat medic?

Hacksaw Ridge

Private Benjamin

Fury

Koengal

"Hacksaw Ridge" is a 2016 biographical war film which was based on a 2004 documentary titled The Conscientious Objector, about the life of Desmond Doss, an American combat medic and Christian who refused to carry or use any kind of weapon.

EMI Films,Universal Picturess via youtube

Which of these 1978 movies starring Christopher Walken and Robert De Niro is seen here?

Casualties of War

The Deer Hunter

Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Motivation

"The Deer Hunter" is a 1978 American war film about a group of three Russian American steelworkers whose lives were forever changed by the Vietnamese War which they fought in. They were depicted by Christopher Walken, Robert De Niro, and John Savage.

Which of these war movies was both produced by and directed by Ridley Scott?

Courage Under Fire

Henry V

Seargent York

Black Hawk Down

"Black Hawk Down" is a 2001 war film which was both produced and directed by Ridley Scott. Based on the non-fiction 1999 book with the same name by Mark Bowden. It followed his coverage of the raid of Mogadishu by the U.S. military in order to capture their leader back in 1993.

20th Century Foxs via youtube

Which of these 1970 movies about an American general is shown here?

The Hurt Locker

Patton

M*A*S*H

Born on the Fourth of July

"Patton" is a 1970 American biographical war film about General George S. Patton. The screenplay which was based on Patton: Ordeal and Triumph and A Soldier’s Story, followed the life of the man who played a crucial role in the second World War.

DreamWorks,Paramount Pictures,Amblin Entertainments via youtube

Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, and Matt Damon starred in one of these award-winning movies. Which one was it?

Saving Private Ryan

Come and See

Apolcalypse Now

Zulu

"Saving Private Ryan" is a 1998 American war film which is set during the invasion of Normandy during World War II. Starring Tom Hanks, Edward Burns and Matt Damon, the award-winning film followed the adventure of a squad who searched for a paratrooper named Private Ryan.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayers via youtube

What is the name of this 1967 war film based​ on a novel by E. M. Nathanson?

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

The Dirty Dozen

Full Metal Jacket

The Bridge on the River Kwai

"The Dirty Dozen" is a 1967 American war film which was inspired by members of an infantry regiment known as the “Filthy Thirteen” and on a novel with the same name by E.M. Nathanson. Starring Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine, and Jim Brown, it tells the story of an Army Major assigned to train and lead 12 murderers into battle.

What is the name of this World War II film starring Brad Pitt, Shia LeBeouf and Jason Isaacs?

Catch-22

The Best Years of Our Lives

Fury

Doctor Zhivago

Fury is a 2014 American war film which stars Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Isaacs, and Jon Bernthal. The film follows a group of American tank crews located in Nazi Germany, during the last few days of World War II.

What is the name of this 1999 American war comedy?

A Midnight Clear

Three Kings

The English Patient

Ran

"Three Kings" is a 1999 American war comedy film which stars Ice Cube, George Clooney, Spike Jonze, and Mark Wahlberg as four U.S. soldiers on a gold heist during the uprising in Iraq against their then president, Saddam Hussein.

Which of the following movies was based on the real-life unsuccessful mission to track down Ahmad Shah, the leader of the Taliban?

Spartacus

Atonement

Tangerines

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor is a 2013 American war film which was based on a novel with the same name by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson. The movie which was set during the war of Afghanistan in 2001, portrays the unsuccessful U.S. SEAL mission to track down Taliban leader Ahmad Shah.

Warner Bros.s via youtube

One of these movies is about the most decorated American soldiers during the first World War. Which one is it?

To Be or Not To Be

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Sergeant York

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

"Sergeant York" is a 1941 American war film about one of the most decorated American soldiers during the first World War. The film which got its inspiration from the diary of the sergeant was the highest grossing film of the year it was released.

Bandito Brotherss via youtube

One of these movies was based on active U.S. Navy SEALs and Special Warfare crewmen. Which of these was it?

Act of Valor

Land of Mine

Red Cliff

Son of Saul

Act of Valor is a 2012 American war film which stars Roselyn Sánchez, Nestor Serrano, Alex Veadov and Emilio Riviera as a group of active duty U.S. Navy SEALs and Special Warfare crewmen who embark on a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative.

TriStar Picturess via youtube

Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Matthew Broderick starred in this film based on the book One Gallant Rush. Which of the options is it?

Where Eagles Dare

Glory

Lebanon

Apocalypse Now

"Glory" is a 1989 American War film which was based on the books One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard and Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein. It starred Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick, and Cary Elwes and told the story of one of the first military units in the American Civil War to consist of African American men.

Twentieth Century Fox,Davis Entertainments via youtube

Which of these movies star Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman as soldiers during the Bosnia War?

The Longest Day

Gallipoli

Lawrence of Arabia

Behind Enemy Lines

"Behind Enemy Lines" is a 2001 American war film which tells the story of an American naval flight officer – Lieutenant Chris Bennet, who after being shot down over Bosnia, uncovers genocide going on during the Bosnia War. It stars actors Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman.

Universal Pictures,The Weinstein Company,A Band Aparts via youtube

Which of these movies was an alternate history of a plot to kill a Nazi leader?

Good Morning, Vietnam

Platoon

Inglorious Basterds

Army of Shadows

"Inglorious Basterds" is a 2009 war film which was both written and directed by Quentin Tarantino and starred Christopher Waltz, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, and Eli Roth. It tells the alternate history of two plots to assassinate Nazi Germany’s leader.

20th Century Foxs via youtube

Which of these movies stars both Henry Fonda and Sean Connery?

The Longest Day

Salvador

The Dirty Dozen

Wonder Woman

"The Longest Day" is a 1962 war film which was based on the novel The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan. It tells the events of the D-Day landings at Normandy in 1944 during World War II. The movie starred John Wayne. Henry Fonda, Sean Connery, Robert Mitchum, and Eddie Albert.

One of these movies starring Jessica Chastain and Jason Clarke was about the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. Which was it?

The Wind Rises

Zero Dark Thirty

Downfall

All Quiet on the Western Front

Zero Dark Thirty is a 2012 American war film which some people have called “the greatest manhunt in history.” The film, which stars Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgeton, and Mark Strong, tells the story of the nearly 10-year-long manhunt for Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda.

Hollywood Pictures,Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Filmss via youtube

What is the name oof this classic war film?

Hacksaw Ridge

Gunga Din

Dunkirk

Crimson Tide

"Crimson Tide" is a 1995 American war film which starred Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, and Viggo Mortensen. It was set during a time when the political turmoil in the Russian Federation caused nationalists to threaten to launch nuclear missiles at Japan and the United States.

Which of these biographical war films stars Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, and Jake Gyllenhaal?

The Big Red One

No Man's Land

Jarhead

The Battle of Algiers

"Jarhead" is a 2005 American biographical war film which was based on a memoir by U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford with the same name, a name which means US Marine. It stars actors Jamie Foxx, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sam Mendes, and Chris Cooper.

Castle Rock Entertainments via youtube

Which of these movies was adapted from a 1989 Broadway play by Aaron Sorkin?

La Grande Illusion

Glory

A Few Good Men

The Killing Fields

"A Few Good Men" is a 1992 American war film which starred Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, and Demi Moore alongside Kevin Bacon and Kevin Pollack. The movie was an adaptation of the 1989 Broadway play with the same name by Aaron Sorkin.

Warner Bros.s via youtube

What is the name of this 1955 war film starring Henry Fonda and William Powell?

The Last of the Mohicans

Mister Roberts

Rescue Dawn

Casablanca

"Mister Roberts" is a 1955 American war comedy film which had an all-star cast of Henry Fonda, William Powell, James Cagney, Ensign Pulver, and Jack Lemmon. The movie, which was based on a 1946 novel and 1948 Broadway play with the same name, followed a crew station on a cargo ship in the waning days of World War II.

Natant,Stanley Kubrick Productions,Warner Bros.s via youtube

Which of these 1987 war movies is shown here?

Last Day in Vietnam

The Guns of Navarone

A Bridge Too Far

Full Metal Jacket

"Full Metal Jacket" is a 1987 war film which was based on the novel The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford. It follows a platoon of Marines from their training and their struggles with boot camp under their strict and abusive drill sergeant all the way to the Vietnam War.

Paramount Pictures,3 Arts Entertainment,Bay Filmss via youtube

What is the name of the movie shown in the image?

Letters from Iwo Jima

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

The Great Escape

Letters from Iwo Jima

"13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi," simply known as "13 Hours," is a 2016 American war film which was based on Mitchell Zuckoff’s novel with the same name. It follows the Annex security team (of 6) who defended the American diplomatic compound located in Benghazi, Libya.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM),Katzka-Loeb,Avala Films via youtube

Clint Eastwood and Tell Savalas starred in this 1970 movie together. Which of these was it?

Restrepo

The Dirty Dozen

Kelly's Heroes

Inglorious Basterds

"Kelly’s Heroes" is a 1970 American war film which followed a group of American soldiers during World war II who decided to go AWOL in order to rob a bank behind enemy lines. Its main cast included Clint Eastwood, Tell Savalas, Donald Sutherland, and Don Rickles.

Hemdale Film Corporations via youtube

Which of these movies is the first of a trilogy of films about the Vietnam War?

Platoon

From Here to Eternity

Twelve O'Clock High

The Patriot

"Platoon" is a 1986 British-American anti-war film which is the first in the trilogy of films about the Vietnam War which was directed by Oliver Stone. It was said that the director wrote the screenplay based on the experiences that he has an infantryman stationed in Vietnam.

Paramount Famous Lasky Corporations via youtube

Which of these films starring Charles Rogers and Richard Arlen is seen in the image?

Lincoln

Grave of Fireflies

The Longest Day

Wings

"Wings" is a 1927 silent American war film which starred Charles “Buddy” Rogers, Richard Arlen and Clara Bow. Set during the First World War, it follows two men vying for the attention of the same woman only to be enlisted into the army where they become best friends.

20th Century Foxs via youtube

One of these movies was adapted from a novel by Richard McKenna with the same name. Which one was it?

Saving Private Ryan

The Sand Pebbles

Gettysburg

Three Kings

"The Sand Pebbles" is a 1966 American war film which tells the tale of a rebellious and independent Navy machinist aboard the gunboat USS San Pablo during the 1920s in China. The screenplay was adapted from the 1962 novel with the same name written by Richard McKenna.

Columbia Pictures Corporation,Horizon Pictures (II)s via youtube

What is the name of this 1957 war classic about the construction of a railway?

The Imitation​ Game

Glory

'71

The Bridge on the River Kwai

"The Bridge on the River Kwai" is a 1957 war film which was based on the book Le Pont de la Rivière Kwaï by Pierre Boulle. Starring actors William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, and Sessue Hayakawa, it follows a British colonel who oversees the construction of a railway bridge.

Columbia Picturess via youtube

Which of these 1957 war movies is shown in the image?

Patton

300

The Pianist

A Soldier's Story

"A Soldier’s Story" is a 1984 American war film which was adapted from the off-Broadway production A Soldier’s Play by Charles Fuller. It follows an African-American officer who is sent to investigate the murder of an African-American sergeant in Louisiana toward the end of the second World War.

Based on the historical novel, The Killer Angels, which of these adapted movies is shown in the picture?

Major Dundee

Stalag 17

Gettysburg

Das Boot

"Gettysburg" is a 1993 American war film which was adapted from Michael Shaara’s historical novel, The Killer Angels. Starring Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, and Martin Sheen, it tells the story of the battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania during the American Civil War.

20th Century Foxs via youtube

Which of these 1970 movies was about a group of Army doctors?

M*A*S*H

Waltz with Bashir

The Deer Hunter

Ivan's Childhood

"M*A*S*H" is a 1970 American comedy war film which was based on the novel MASH: About Three Army Doctors. Starring Donald Sutherland, Tom Skerritt, and Elliot Gould, it was the inspiration for the television series "M*A*S*H" which aired from 1972 to 1983.

Which of these award-winning movies starring Guy Pierce and Jeremy Renner is shown in the image?

We Were Soldiers

Patton

The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Hurt Locker

"The Hurt Locker" is a 2008 American war film starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mack, Ralph Fiennes, and Guy Pearce. It follows an explosive ordnance disposal team stationed in Iraq who are targeted by insurgents. It also shows how the soldiers deal with the stresses of combat.

Zoetrope Studioss via youtube

Which of these movies starring Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, and Robert Duvall is seen in the picture?

Das Boot

Braveheart

Apocalypse Now

Platoon

"Apocalypse Now" is a 1979 American war film which has been called an update of the Heart of Darkness novella by Joseph Conrad. Starring Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper, it follows Captain Willard on his mission to assassinate a renegade colonel during the Vietnam War.

Alcon Entertainments via youtube

Which of these movies was based on the novel Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton?

The Great Escape

12 Strong

Full Metal Jacket

Band of Brothers

"12 Strong," sometimes called "12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldier" is a 2018 American war film which was based on the book Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton. It tells the story of a group from the U.S. Army Special Forces who are sent to Afghanistan soon after the events of 9/11.

Hurwitz Creative,Netflix,Plan B Entertainments via youtube

Which of these movies starring Ben Kingsley, Brad Pitt, and Topher Grace is based on the novel The Operators, and is also seen in the screenshot?

The Deer Hunter

Saving Private Ryan

Black Hawk Down

War Machine

"War Machine" is a 2017 American war film which was based on a non-fictional novel called The Operators by Michael Hastings. The film which starred Brad Pitt, Topher Grace, Anthony Michael Hall and Ben Kingsley tells a fictionalized tale of General Stanley McChrystal in the U.S. Army.

About This Quiz

War and military films hold special places in the hearts of men and women around the world because they serve as a reminder of the sacrifices which were made for our freedom. Many of these films recreate some of the most important events which have shaped the world into what we know today. They portray many of the brave men and women who have volunteered their services in order to defend their country and by extension their families, as well as the difficulty of readjusting to normalcy once they return home.

Many websites like Metacritic, Box Office Mojo and Rotten Tomatoes have all compiled lists of some of the greatest war films to date, and on each one, you will find films like "Saving Private Ryan," "Apocalypse Now," "Spartacus," "The Bridge on the River Kwai," "Patton," "Platoon," "The Hurt Locker," "Letters from Iwo Jima" and "Full Metal Jacket."

How well do you know your war movies? If you were given images of some of the greatest military movies to have ever been created, both recent and classic, would you be able to identify them? If you would like to test your knowledge, then this is the quiz that you should take!

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